About the Cristeros

Building a movement

who we are

Cristeros is an initiative of Aequitas, a non-profit based in Gallup, New Mexico, bringing the True, the Good, and the Beautiful to all. We’re building a movement of faithful Catholic men who work together to grow in friendship with God, strengthen their families, serve their parish, and stand together as brothers in the world.

The Cristero
Rule of Life

A Cristero is a Catholic man who lives his identity as a Brother of Christ the King, formed in prayer and rooted in true devotion to Jesus through Mary.

Morning Offering

We begin each day with a Morning Offering:

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the remission of my sins, for the intentions of my family and friends, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

At a particularly high or low point during the day, we turn to the Holy Spirit:

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Marian Prayer

At some point each day—alone or with family or friends—we entrust all that we are and all that we have to Jesus through Mary by praying either the Angelus (traditionally at midday, or at another fitting time) and/or the Rosary, with particular attention to the Fruits of the Mysteries.

Nightly Examen (ACTS)

Every night before sleep, alone or with our wife, we pray a brief examen using the ACTS formula:

Adoration – Reflect on the greatness of God in your life and in the world: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
‍Contrition – Recall moments where you have fallen short this day: Lord, we ask Your forgiveness for our sins this day, for our weakness, and for the times we failed to love as You have called us to do.
‍Thanksgiving – Recall moments where you responded well to God’s grace: Lord, thank You for the gifts and graces of this day, especially moments of trust, fidelity, and virtue.
Supplication – Ask God for those desires you carry in our hearts: Lord, we ask for Your blessing this night and in the coming day, and we entrust to You the desires of our hearts.

Entrustment

As many times as we can throughout the day, and as the last prayer of the night, we entrust our lives to Jesus through Mary:

All that I have and all that I am, I give to Your Hands, Jesus, through the heart of Mary, Your blessed mother. Amen. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Monthly Cadence

While the Rule of Life anchors each Cristero in daily prayer and conversion, we also live a shared monthly cadence that orders our life together as brothers. This rhythm ensures that our identity in Christ gives rise, in an ordered way, to restored relationships, authentic fraternity, and missionary witness. Each month follows the same general pattern.

First Week

Identity

We begin by returning to who we are: Brothers of Christ the King, sons of the Father, sons of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This week emphasizes personal prayer, silence, and interior conversion. We receive our identity from God before taking up any work or mission. The focus is fidelity, not activity. We begin the month grounded in prayer.

Examples of practices may include:

Daily Mass or an extra weekday Mass
Eucharistic adoration or a holy hour
Extended personal prayer or silence, scripture meditation or examination of conscience

Second Week

Relationship

Family & Parish

We turn outward to the relationships God has entrusted to us in the home and parish. This week emphasizes presence, reconciliation, and prayer within the family, as well as deeper communion with the parish community. We strengthen the bonds that sustain Christian life and transmit the faith.

Examples of practices may include:

Family Vespers at the parish
Shared meals with families
Intentional prayer with one’s spouse and children
Acts of service or presence within the parish

Third Week

Relationship

Brotherhood

We focus on fraternity among the men. This week emphasizes encouragement, accountability, and shared formation. We stand together as brothers, refusing isolation and supporting one another in perseverance.

Examples of practices may include:

A brief check-in or exhortation after Sunday Mass
A men’s gathering or evening of fraternity
Small group discussions or testimonies
Prayer offered together for one another and our families

Fourth Week

Mission

Public Witness

Having been grounded in prayer and strengthened in relationship and fraternity, we go forth in public witness. Mission flows from communion and is always rooted in charity and reverence. We bear witness to Christ the King not by force, but by faithfulness.

Examples of practices may include: